Tuesday, August 3, 2010

When I got a phone call asking me if Blackfire want to be back again on stage? I just laughed, we got several offers since 2006 but we refuse to do it for some personal reasons. Anyway, I forward this matter to Azmi.

Within a week, I got a reply from him. Surprisingly, he accepted the offer. I laughed again, how can we play while I never meet Hadi (the drummer) for 2-3 years now. Blackfire didn’t rehearse together for about 5 years now. Furthermore, we had no guitarist. Since Joe Slaughter is now playing with Death Metal band, SILENT DEATH. He said, ‘no need to worry, I already called up Joe and he agreed to play while my elder son (from Hardcore / American metal band) will taken care of the drum, you just need to switch to play guitar and find someone to play bass’.

So, I told, let me think about it first. The first thing came to my mind is Hadi. Hadi is really the true identity and the attitude of Blackfire. The dark side of the band. His playing is a trademark of true brutality. How it gonna be without him on the drums? I couldn’t find Hadi anywhere, while all his numbers are unavailable. His house were empty and I heard he moved somewhere in Sintok.

Azmi insist his son could do it, while his son keep forward me his band music to look out for his potential. I heard it and it’s ok. I asked Joe via facebook, he too said he got no problem with it. Since Azmi pretty much serious this time, ok let’s do it. I said.

Azmi, Joe Slaughter and I were the line-up for the debut album. I guess, the crowds don’t have a problem with it. I asked, the guitarist and vocalist of Thrash Metal band, DEVASTATOR whether he is interested in playing the bass? After all he already knew Hadi and Azmi. He agreed. So the confirmed line-up would be; me- rhythm guitar, Joe Slaughter – lead guitar, Syed- bass, Azmi – vocal and Asraf – drum.

The problem now is, I’m living up here in Perlis with Syed. So we just let them rehearse together. Everything when up there was totally unknown to me and Syed. I just knew via sms that things were going smooth down there. They rehearsed every week under the guidance of Joe Slaughter. All thanks to him.

4 days early before the gig, I’m together with Syed drove off to Kuala Lumpur. Having great breakfast, nice music ( mostly been accompanied by Slayer, Paradise Lost, Judas Priest and Sentenced ), and nice lauch. It was a wonderful trip. We went straight up to Morego Studio, Ampang to see what is going to happen.

Yes, the kids brought us nightmare. The timing were outs, tempos were loose, even Azmi didn’t know where to begins. I knew right from the beginning, Azmi already lose his senses many years ago, he never seen any gig for more than 20 years, he never bother try to sings when we rehearse many years ago, he even forgot how live environment would be like. To him, everything is too loud, fuzzy and noisy. There is too much error in drum playing, but he just don’t notice it. To me and Syed, it is real shocking!

On our way to Joe Slaughter’s home. We discussed these matter. We knew the kids were unprepared ( now there are 2 kids, the younger brother also wanted to perform. He probably would cry if we drop him ). Well, we probably look even worst than kenduri band, but Syed and Joe said they really want this to happen. After all, they really want to appreciate the old man efforts. They want the old man to be happy with the kids. And he really wanted to expose the potential of his kids.

Hard to say, but I complained to Azmi about his kids. They really need to work harder. Me and Syed catch cold and fever that night. We remained sick till the final day.

So, we managed to rehearsed for 3 times. I am happy with the improvement. I saw Joe also smiling in our final rehearse, meaning the kids will do just fine. But Azmi, remains mostly lost with his words.

Teach your children to worship s***n

Now, where is that fucking hotel?

Vokill Fest begins. We are the first band did the soundcheck. Everything seems just fine. Back in the hotel room, we just slept. Having chit chat about our old days ( breakfast @ market, his kids, dio, pondan ) and future plans ( next recording, umrah, etc).

Clash of the titans!

horn and fist!

8.30 pm we went to the venue, armed to the teeth. PROFANE CREATION was on stage, good performance by these lads. Jadam, their guitarist is the responsible guy who did all the engineering works for our debut album.

Like all the fan expected, we started off with “Lahirnya Dari Api” (click here to watch). Great to see all of the crowds enjoyed the show and we delievered the best we could. It was hell of atmosphere! But the problem started when we crushed with the 4th song “Kemenangan Disaat Saat Akhir”. The kid finally did it. He did very well till half of the song, but continue with wrong strokes to the very last verses ( he went back to ‘Sil Khannas’ again) . Azmi at the times already lost. I couldn’t help him out as he probably singing the other lyrics while I’m the others. Hahaha! It was chaotic.

Azmi really wanted to wrapped up this show with “Kemenangan..” but the crowds and the organizers still wanted 1 more song to be delivered. As I thought this final song would be a good bonus to the crowds. We did. And it was terrible. The problem also came from dysfunctional monitor to the drumset. Anyhow, that is the problem with the kids, they couldn’t absorb the tension. Their nervous killing the mood, as they couldn’t recover from mistakes in short time but they are dying to go up on stage to show their cute faces to chicks out there. So they did.

To me, it is okay. Me, Syed and Joe are having fun even people like us wanted to go up there just to terrorize. By that means, we want no error but a merciless showmanship. But on Azmi side, he just want to have a good time with his kids up there. As he told to me, these is the end of his carrier. Supposedly, Hadi should be joining us too. But, I have nothing against it. Judging from this show, I am actually agreed. We can no longer play live anymore. This is the good way to end it.

Me and Syed drove back to home just after the show. Even so damned tired but we have to. We are working our ass the next day. It is nice to meet all the people out there. Hope you all having good time, we did. And we will remember all your faces deep in our heart.